The multinational service company Ernst & Young annually dedicates the award "Entrepreneur Of The Year" across different categories in more than 70 countries. Hans-Rudolf Schurter was awarded the "Entrepreneur Of The Year" on 28 October in Lausanne.

The competition for the "Entrepreneur Of The Year" is sponsored by the multinational service firm Ernst & Young and is carried out annually in more than 70 countries. The award, which is assigned to the categories Industry, Services, Start-up and Family Business, is like an "Oscar" of entrepreneurship, a renowned prize for entrepreneurial activities. With this prize the most innovative and successful entrepreneurs of each country are honoured and distinguished.

In Switzerland up to 50 entrepreneurs are nominated among the numerous applicants. Based on the documentation submitted and personal interviews with the applicants, 12 – 15 finalists are selected. In the end, a high-grade jury gives the EoY award to one winner in each of the above mentioned categories. The four prizes were presented during a ceremonial event on 28 October 2016 in Lausanne.

It is a great honour and distinction for the SCHURTER Group that our long-standing CEO and today’s Chairman of the Board, Hans-Rudolf Schurter, was awarded with the prize in the category Family Business.

The speech in honour of HRS, as we all address him, was delivered by Claude Raymond Cornaz, CEO of the Vetropack Group. A partial account of his speech is depicted as follows: "As entrepreneur in the third generation he has promoted the growth of the group significantly. He is appreciated everywhere as a visionary and considerate superior, committed to human wellbeing. Hans-Rudolf Schurter has handed over to his successor a state of the art, internationally well-positioned and completely independent group of companies. His leadership principle was and is predictability. According to this motto he has bundled the interests of the owner family and thus laid down important foundations for a family governance which is sustainable for the future. The jury is convinced that, thanks to Hans-Rudolf Schurter, the SCHURTER Group as a family enterprise will continue to have a great future ahead."

We sincerely congratulate and share the happiness with Hans-Rudolf Schurter for the undoubtedly well-deserved life-time achievement award.